paradisalost | [Open in journal and in person in the lobby]

Entry tags:

noble six

[Open in journal and in person in the lobby]

[This isn't been remotely what she'd been expecting to have happen. Not by a long shot. She knows it is only a matter of time before it finally happens. Alone, with all of the Covvies on Reach... It is just a matter of time before the deathblow finally falls. She knows death is coming. But she doesn't regret it.

She just watches on her back as what should be the deathblow starts to fall.

Suddenly, the scenery changes. The Elites vanish. She's indoors. And instead of Reach... It's an unfamiliar room. A lobby of some kind. But she's injured. Her helmet is nearby on the floor. And she's gasping for breath as she tries to deal with the injuries from the Elites that she'd been trying to hold off. When she finally manages speech, it's rushed.]

How did I get here? What's going on?

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[That gets an odd look from her.] Friendly then?

[She can't help a flinch as some of the plasma injuries are exposed.] I did what was necessary. Ended with me alone surrounded by Elites. One moment... I saw what should have been the deathblow. Next, I'm here.

Friendly. He was my first contact here and he's been indispensable. He carries and AI onboard, too, who's exceedingly reliable with intel.

So far, though, you and I? Are the only Spartans. I've been here a year without backup. [She's setting more armor aside and prepping that second biofoam cannister.] Once you're feeling better I'm going to want a full report, Six.

I wasn't exactly friendly on meeting him. [That gets a look of curiosity.] An AI carrier? Him?

[Softly, as she braces herself for more biofoam]I don't think you'll like that report...

I wasn't either, when I first arrived. I'm sure he's used to it by now. [She nods.] Not a full Smart AI, but intelligent enough. He gives me a run for my money, sometimes.

[Kat injects the biofoam. That should about get her stable enough to get some food in her and get her ass up to the clinic.]

[Softly,] I'll take it over a year of dead air.

At least I didn't attack him. Was considering it... [Six pauses to think that over.] Makes sense. Smart AIs aren't exactly common technology. Would like to meet him sometime.

[Damn that hurt. But she's still refusing to show anymore weakness than she has to.] Whatever you need to know.

[And York comes back through the kitchen door, waving with one hand and an armful of various goodies on a plate in the other hand. It's everything from a hot chili cheese dog to bacon-wrapped prawns to what looks like a pile of fresh-baked cookies. (Admittedly, he wished some of this up.)]

Here. Take anything you want, Noble Six.

It can be a little disorienting here, at first. In the future, though, it might be smart to clear all targets through me. [Hopefully that will cut down on accidental assassinations.] You'll meet Delta eventually.

[She sits back and finally takes her helmet off as York returns, and runs her hand over her recently shorn head.] I'll want to know everything that happened after August 23rd, but eat first, and then we'll get you up to the clinic.

Understood, sir. Though there may not always be time for that... I'll try to get clearance before killing people.

And Kat, your report won't be a long one. It was only the 30th.

[The sight of all that food just has the Spartan a bit confused when York brings it over.] What is all that?

[York chuckles a little at the mention of killing people accidentally.] The rest of us appreciate it, believe me. [And he nods at Kat to acknowledge Delta will want to speak to Six soon, at least as soon as she's stabilized.]

It's real food, Spartan. I know you probably haven't seen it in years. You gotta try the bacon things, at least.

[Kat nods back at York, then turns her attention to Six's damaged armored pieces, quietly wishing up replacement parts to have waiting in her workshop.] Like I said, don't expect to enjoy any MREs around him.

[Not that 'enjoy' and 'MREs' were usually used in the same sentence but her light tone hopefully gets the point across.] -- and any information you can give me is appreciated. Especially concerning Colonel Holland's orders concerning Sword Base.

You should appreciate it. I'm not exactly known for being a team player. [There's a pause as she looks the food over, eying the prawns.] Try ever for some of it.

[Six notices Kat's attention on the armor.] Helmet's on the floor over there. Was more a hindrance than a help in the end. Going to need serious repairs or replacement on a lot of the armor.

And I can give the full report on that easy enough.

[Come to think of it, York did only remember meeting the other four members of Noble in Kat's headspace. Maybe Six had a point about being a team player. Still, he was going to try his best to be good to anyone Kat considered an ally.]

Replacement might be easier for most of it. We've got near-unlimited resources here, but damn few people with the technical skills to repair MJOLNIR--Noble-Two here being the main one these days.

And give it a try. The food's not going to bite, I swear.

Don't kid yourself, Six. You were getting along fine with Noble. [A small smile as she moves to gather the helmet. Seeing the state it's in, however, she can't help but frown.] You did quite a number to this visor ... [Just more reminders of what she'd missed. So much could happen in just seven days. Hell, one day they'd seen Reach go from completely Covvie-free to having half the armada hanging above atmosphere.]

[Now's not the time, Kat. She shakes her head, returning to the couch with the JFO in hand.] If it bites, bite back harder.

[She grabs one of the prawns after a moment, biting into it hesitantly. She's surprised.] It's good.

Kat, I was doing what I had to. Carter warned me the lone wolf stuff wouldn't be tolerated. [There's pain there in her eyes. There was more to it than orders. She just wasn't about to admit to it.] And it was a lot of Covenant.

[There's a glance at the helmet.] Think you can repair it, Kat?

[York crosses his arms, though it's clear from his tone he's only joking by acting offended.] Course it is! I wouldn't give a Spartan bad food.

You can use my holotable if you need to for the repairs. How's the rest of your armor, Noble Six?

[York notices some wear and tear, but it's hard to tell how much of it is recent--or serious.]

Yes, well. That's what they said was Thom's downfall. [Her voice is suddenly tight and soft. She certainly didn't think that's what had killed him (really, she blames herself for that), but what was important was that Six knew where Carter's thinking came from. Here, there was no classified or black ink.] Did Carter -- no. No, we'll talk about this later.

I can fix it fine, just might take me some time. The helmet itself is structurally sound; new visor, new electronics ... we'll also get your suit set up with overshields. You'll be better than new when we're finished. [Yes, York, she just recruited you.]

Not that some of us could tell the difference anyway. MREs are easiest. [Six just shakes her head, amused.] Of course the armor isn't in good shape. I was surrounded, and there were a lot of Elites. Zealots.

Trust me. I lived up to his wishes as long as I could. I didn't have a choice in the end.

[The list gets a nod.] And I'll help as much as I can, once I've recovered.

[firmly] Well, there's all the time and all the food you could ever need here. No reason to live off that crap if you don't need to.

[And he nods succinctly at Kat.] Will do. Anything I can do to help a Spartan, you know I will.

[She nods back at York.] I know. [That in itself is a compliment.]

[She glances at Six.] More zealot class? Was it in anyway related to the one we took out before the spire? [Just, piquing her curiosity more. She can't not ask, as much as she wants to just hold off until Six is stable, her patience is breaking down.]

[Taking more of that food now.] Could get used to this...

[Six looks down.] Honestly? I have no idea. Maybe they just saw the lone Spartan slaughtering Elites and decided to make sure the job was finished. Who knows how they think?

[York nods as Six works on clearing the plate. It's probably just a snack to her, given Kat's average caloric intake, but it's better than nothing.]

Good. Let's get you to the clinic and see if you need any stitching up, fluids, that kind of thing? [Probably fluids.] Then I can hop off and check where your room is, unless you want to bunk with Kat for a while?

[Kat sets her jaw, trying to keep herself from asking more questions. She nods at the comment about food -- while she herself had a habit of slipping back towards MREs when things got too stressful to think about making a whole meal, she'd been dsicovering the beauties of chocolate and pizza.]

I've got bunks already set up, or there's plenty of space in the hangar. [Six was Noble's newest member, certainly, and Kat wasn't about to order her to stay anywhere, but she hoped they could at least stick together for a little bit, while she got caught up and Six got settled. The rush of getting things under control now was starting to settle, and Kat's realizing this isn't a dream, it's not a hallucination or some trick of the castle. Six was really here. Wounded, bearing bad news most likely, but here.]

[Six nods. She knows she needs medical attention.] Trust me, I know I need it. I've lost a decent bit of blood.

[She looks to Kat.] Where do you want me to stay? Seeing as my place is with my team, if you'll have me still after the report...

[York nods and straightens up, gesturing to the elevator.] Second floor, then, for the clinic. Let's get you back up to top shape.

[Kat stands and offers a hand in case Six needs help, unlikely as that is. She may be wounded, but she's still a Spartan.] It looks like you went out with a fight, Six and probably took a fair number of the ugly bastards with you. Whatever your report is, I'll still have you.

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